Alleged confrontation at church service leads to assault charges

By Samoa News staffreporters@samoanews.comPago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On January 25, 2026, at approximately 10:26am hours, a woman contacted the Fagatogo Police Station (FPS) to report a peace disturbance that had occurred outside the LMS Church in the village of Utulei.Responding officers arrived at the scene shortly after and made contact with the victim who identified herself as Sesula McMoore and the suspect, who was identified as Tunime Nelisi.Nelisi was charged with the following:Count 1: Assault in the Third Degree - a class A misdemeanor, punishable by a term of imprisonment not to exceed one year, a fine of not more than $1000, or both such imprisonment and fine; and,Count 2: Public Peace Disturbance - a class B misdemeanor, punishable by a term of imprisonment not to exceed six months, a fine of not more than $500, or both such imprisonment and fine.Bail was withheld.According to the court affidavit, filed in the District Court on Jan. 26, both the victim and the suspect were transported to the FPS for further investigation, separate interviews of both parties were conducted.According to McMoore (victim), during church service Nelisi’s child was being disruptive. McMoore stated that she asked Nelisi (suspect) if she could take her child outside due to the noise.After church service ended and the victim was walking home, the suspect confronted her on the public roadway near the church. The xf led to a verbal argument, during which Nelisi struck McMoore in the face.McMoore reported that the punch caused redness to her left cheek and caused her to fall to the ground, resulting in redness and minor abrasions to her right arm.The victim was asked if she required medical attention; however, she declined.Photographs of the McMoore’s injuries were taken for evidentiary purposes. No major visible wounds were observed.The suspect was advised of her constitutional rights and voluntarily agreed to provide a statement.In her statement, Nelisi admitted to punching McMoore in the face. The suspect stated that this was not the first time the victim had complained about her child being disruptive during church service. She further stated that after service, she approached the victim to confront her about what was said in church.According to the suspect, the victim asked, “What did you say to me in church?” and an argument followed. The suspect claimed that the victim attempted to strike her first with a hand fan, which caused her to become angry and she punched the victim.Nelisi was thereafter placed under arrest and transported to Tafuna Correctional Facility for booking and confinement.The suspect is identified as a 22-year-old US National.Section: Local NewsTags: court report
2026-02-20 18:33:56